7 Interior Design Trends We're Saying Goodbye to in 2024

A new year means new interior design trends. We've already revealed our predictions for the top kitchen, bathroom, and flooring trends of 2024, but experts are also sharing the trends that are falling out of favor this year. With data collected from Houzz, 1st Dibs, and interior designers around the world, we're sharing the trends expected to snowball in the coming year, along with the styles and items they're replacing.

The experts have spoken: Color preferences are evolving, another iconic decade is back, pattern affinities are shifting, and the demands for functional living are changing. Read on to get a head start on what you need—and don't need—to bring your interior up to date in 2024.

Goodbye Swinging '60s, Hello '70s Boho

Midcentury modernism of the post-war era has dominated interior trends and furniture design for years. However, according to Anthony Barzilay Freund, the editorial director at 1stDibs, we can expect a mid-mod style evolution in 2024 as the modern shapes of the 1960s that reigned since 2020 make way for some 1970s bohemianism.

Unlike the humble, self-effacing qualities of '60s furniture and style (think: natural woods and neutral upholstery), Barzilay Freund describes the '70s as “vibrant, lush and colorful,” giving it fresh appeal to 21st-century design enthusiasts.

“We’re seeing strong, sustained interest in creators such as Gubi and the rattan designs by Gabriella Crespi, whose works in general are the epitome of 1970s Italian chic (as was she),” he says. Conjure the free-spirited energy, vibrancy, and optimism of the era with natural rattan, iconic furniture designs, a mix of bold florals and wavy patterns, and embracing an overall eclectic aesthetic.

Rich, Earthy Shades Outweigh Dazzling Jewel Tones

Designers are leaving vibrant jewel tones behind in favor of an autumnal palette featuring sage greens and rich clay tones. According to data from 1st Dibs, sage green will be the most popular color in 2024, followed closely by earthy browns, burnt orange, mustard yellow, and tan shades. Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball, also expects warm clay tones, like Jitney and Stirabout, to take the spotlight. These warm, earthy shades nurture and reassure us in times of uncertainty, creating a comforting and harmonious space that’s easy on the eyes.

Coincidentally, this earthy palette is reminiscent of the 70s. So, a simple way to infuse your home with 70s nostalgia is by incorporating these warming shades into your home, if not with paint, with velvety upholstery, layered textures with retro patterns, and eye-catching decorative accessories.

Blue Is in Focus as Lavender Loses its Luster

You only need to briefly scroll through the 2024 colors of the year to pick up on the next big color trend. Over half of the top paint suppliers have selected a blue shade to represent the spirit of 2024. Expect a boom in bright and breezy pale blue shades, like Sherwin William’s Upward (#6239), and uplifting mid-tone sky blues, like C2’s Thermal (#752).

According to color psychology, blue is commonly associated with serenity, relaxation, calm, trustworthiness, loyalty, and reliability. Studies have shown that blue light lowers heart rate and blood pressure, justifying its typical application in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces intended for relaxation. “With so much going on in the world, it’s no wonder so many paint companies are choosing blue as the color of 2024,” according to a trend report by Houzz. “Whether it’s a sky-inspired hue or a deep watery color, look for an array of blues to be featured more prominently in decorative materials and housewares in the coming year.”

Nature-Inspired Motifs Wipe Out Geometrics

Florals and other nature-inspired motifs are predicted to top the charts in pattern design in 2024, while geometric shapes, gingham, and insect motifs are expected to take a tumble. “As design continues to move away from the beige neutrals and somewhat sterile interiors of the first decade of this century, we’re seeing spaces that feel personal, visually interesting, and more overtly nostalgic for seemingly better, simpler times,” Barzilay Freud says, citing the recent trends for Cottagecore and Biophilic (nature-referencing) design.

While these design trends are aesthetically different, they both value natural and sustainable materials and coincide with the digital nomadic flight from urban apartments to country homes. “It is interesting that these recent design trends value reusing both the vintage material and referencing the utopian (and slightly “hippy”) ethos that defined 1970s design,” Barzilay Freud says.

Designers are increasingly concerned about the mark they leave on this planet and are driven towards sustainable and regenerative production and practice. They also consider “the ways the spaces they create can not only pay homage to the natural world but help preserve it," Barzilay Freud says. Incorporating sustainable, organic textiles featuring botanicals, flora, and fauna into their design is one way of achieving this. 

Kitchen Renos Favored Over Home Offices

With 90% of companies planning to implement return-to-office mandates by the end of 2024, the demand for home offices has plummeted, with people’s priorities shifting to the culinary department. “Over half of designers expect kitchens to be the most requested room design in 2024, with living rooms trailing closely behind,” according to a trend report by 1st Dibbs.

As part of their kitchen renos, Houzz’s data reveals people have their eyes set on a couple of specific features. “While they’ve been around for decades, appliance garages are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as homeowners seek to declutter their homes and incorporate more gadgets into their kitchens,” according to a report by Houzz. For those unfamiliar with the term, an appliance garage is a type of kitchen cabinet made to house countertop appliances such as blenders, coffee machines, and toasters and declutter your kitchen. Traditionally, they have a door that opens like a garage (hence the name), though more modern interpretations use pocket, sliding, and lift mechanism doors.

According to Houzz, another emerging kitchen trend is blending backsplashes. “To visually break up big expanses of tile, some designers on Houzz are now installing a slab of stone or quartz behind the range or cooktop while keeping the surrounding backsplash areas tiled.” The slab is usually the same material as the countertops, introducing a vertical display of graphic veining or other interesting details to create a striking focal point that’s easy to wipe clean. 

Open-Plan Spaces Make Way for Broken-Plan Layouts and Utility Rooms

Functionality is a critical element of any good design, but what this means changes with shifts in people’s daily habits. A few years ago, open plan spaces were highly sought after for enabling multiple activities to be carried out in one space, creating a sense of flow and sociability, and allowing light to diffuse throughout the ground floor. However, after families spent months together in lockdown, juggling multiple activities in one space, broken-plan living became more appealing. Broken-plan layouts allow for privacy, noise and smell control, and help to hide unsightly mess.

A product of this shift is the spiked interest in mudrooms and utility rooms, with people looking to create a separate zone for the mundane tasks of washing and ironing and to prevent muddy boots, dirty sportswear, and big winter coats from clogging up their entryways. Design pros on Houzz recommend including mudroom storage components like cabinets, hooks, and cubbies to help organize all the clean gear. Other must-haves include a big utility sink, a pulldown faucet, and a space-saving clothes drying rack.

From Full Gloss to Matte Finishes—Or Both

Experiment with paint finishes to create depth and interest on a flat wall. “Balancing ultra-matte dead flat with full gloss is a gorgeous, albeit unexpected, way to give spaces a modern, polished feel,” Studholme says. The high-shine finish of the gloss paint reflects light, while the matte finish absorbs it, altering how the color and space are perceived.

“Combining two contrasting finishes in the same color is a great way to subtly accentuate architectural detail without overwhelming the color scheme,” Studholme says. “The use of full gloss on cabinetry has come to the fore, being used for statement schemes to highlight accent pieces,” she adds. Try it on your kitchen cupboards and island, making them stand out against the flat matte walls.